1. Shop the Sales / Use Coupons

Buying food items that are on sale, or using coupons, can save you LOTS of money. All grocery stores have weekly sales. You can find out which stores have the best prices by reviewing sales flyers, or by checking store websites. Some stores even have grocery apps you can use on your phone. Use this information to plan your meals and make your shopping list. And, if you have room in your budget, stock up on pantry items or foods you eat often as soon as they go on sale.

2. Check Unit Prices

Photo from ChooseMyPlate.gov

We know you don’t want to spend much time grocery shopping, so we have a super handy tip for comparing prices. Most products have a price called the “unit price” listed on the shelf. It is to the left of the retail price of the item. This unit price tells you how much a food is per a set amount (like per ounce, or per pound). This helps you quickly see which item is the best buy. If yogurt #1 has a unit price of 5 cents per ounce, and yogurt #2 has a a higher unit price of 12 cents per ounce, yogurt #1 is the best deal. You would actually save 7 cents per ounce (12 cents – 5 cents = 7 cents)!

Most of the time buying a larger container is actually cheaper. But, remember, you’re not saving if the food goes bad before you can use it. To learn more see, “Understand the Price Tag”

3. Buy the Store Brand

Did you know that store brands are often made in the same facility as name brands? Sometimes they are actually the same product with a different label? Wild – right? Since store brands don’t spend a lot of money on advertising, they often cost less. They may taste slightly different, but generally they are just as good, making them a smart choice. When buying staples like beans, grains, nuts, pasta, and juice, the store brand is definitely the way to go. You can always check the unit prices to know for sure if you are getting the best deal.

4. Buy Foods that Are in Season

Buying fruits and vegetable when they are in season is another great way to save money. Check the CT Crop Calendar to see when your favorite local fruits and vegetables are available. Or, head to your CT Farmers Market to find healthy deals.

Bonus Tip:When the produce you enjoy is not in season, look for frozen and/or canned choices. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetable are just as good as fresh! They are often less expensive, and they last for a very long time. Just be sure to look for fruits canned in natural juice and vegetables without added salt.

5. Avoid Prepared Foods

It may seem tempting to grab a pre-made meal thinking it will save you time. But, it will generally cost you lots more money. And, prepared foods are often high in salt and fat, making them less healthy. Buying the ingredients and making meals yourself is almost always cheaper. Plus, when you learn to make Quick & Easy Meals you are able to season and prepare foods just how you and your family like them.

6. Don't Shop When You Are Hungry

​This may sound funny, but trust us, shopping when hungry is a recipe for disaster! It will be much harder to have the willpower to stick to your budget and buy only the healthy foods that you need. Have a snack or light meal before heading in to the store. A handful of trail mix or an apple may be enough to keep you full and focused, and able to make the best choices for your budget.

For more great resources and tips on saving money​, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov’s:

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​This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet. To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at 1 855 626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.